Rangers vs Sparta Prague Odds, Prediction & Betting Tips
Rangers have recently undergone a managerial change in their quest to haul in Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, but it is a switch of focus to the Europa League that faces The Gers on Thursday night. Sparta Prague are the visitors at Ibrox and Billy Grimshaw has a couple of tips ready to go after a full house in his Atletico Madrid vs Celtic preview on Tuesday evening.
SBK are offering a brilliant bundle for new and existing customers which could be hugely exciting for this midweek slate of fixtures. Simply spend £15 of your account balance on Bet Builder tokens, and you will receive 5x£5 Bet Builder tokens! That means an extra £10 worth of bets for your real money investment of £15.
- Place a £10 bet through the link below
- Get your £30 in free bets!
Two teams with a nigh identical record thus far in the Europa League group stages go head to head at Ibrox on Thursday night, with visitors Sparta Prague above Rangers on goals scored alone in the current Group C standings.
This pool of four is one of the closest contested this season in the competition, with just three points separating bottom and top. The title of group winners is still very much up for grabs, then, and whichever side is successful in Glasgow will feel qualification is within their grasp.
Scotland's 55 times league champions have been hit and miss so far in this competition, tasting all three outcomes with just two goals scored. The travelling Czechs have the same results but are more free scoring, with four. Three of these came in their entertaining win in match week one, but last time out against Rangers at home it was a dull 0-0 draw.
Both sides will be desperate for three points here to put distance between themselves and the loser, as well as the expected basement dwellers Aris Limassol. A cagey affair is probably in order.
Rangers vs Sparta Prague Tips
It would be a repulsive thought for both fanbases to be linked to one another, but for us punters any examples are useful examples and Celtic's hammering at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night proves one salient point: Scottish football is no great shakes.
The standard north of the border has been compared to that of League One in neighbouring England and while we wouldn't go that far, it is clear to see the gulf between Scotland's elite and the elite of Europe.
The good news for Rangers is that unlike their great rivals, they are not facing a European heavyweight come Thursday. Sparta Prague are a decent side, but are by no means unbeatable. With the high stakes in this match up, I think we are in for a cagey affair as despite both teams' propensity to shellack their inferior domestic rivals, when in Europe games are often much more finely poised.
An early goal would spell danger for this pick, as the team that conceded would be forced to hunt parity, however should the game reach the break goalless and indeed the hour mark, I'd be very confident that the game would only close down rather than open up. Checking the possession statistics and shots, these sides were closely matched and I can see them cancelling each other out again at Ibrox, despite a vociferous crowd roaring the Gers on, with under 2.5 goals at just shy of even money the best bet.
Bet Builder (Selections Below)
This is a fairly speculative play, however there is scope for all three selections being backed as singles, should that be your preferred punting method. Firstly, under 0.5 goals at 9/1 looks far too big a price considering the reverse fixture ended up 0-0 and both managers will be desperate not to lose. It is a bit of a gamble, but if Betis are comfortably beating the Cypriots then the loser of this game would be in huge jeopardy. A 0-0 would still not be the end of the world for either and if the game is goalless at the hour mark, stalemate could ensue.
Next up we have former Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram to have a shot on target, a feat he managed in Prague last time out. Lundstram is an all action midfielder but particularly since Clemente took over has been taking up some advanced positions. The scouser is a fairly efficient shooter, and all we'd need for this leg to land would be a bit of a speculative pea-roller into the goalkeeper's arms.
Lastly, Sparta Prague convincingly won the corner count last time these two met by 7-3 and if analysing their data in the league, admittedly as the dominant team in most games, it is clear they usually come out on top in this regard. I'd make it more of an evens each of two scenario here, so 13/8 for a repeat against a Rangers team that love throwing in a last ditch block makes plenty of appeal. Obviously for all three of these legs to land is a longshot, but at nearly 80/1 it will be a fun flutter to wrap things up.
